CAIRO: Libya is looking to South Africa for assistance in rebuilding the country following the bloody civil war that ousted former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in August. Although many in the North African country are concerned with South African President Jacob Zuma's past relationship with Gaddafi and his refusal to support the initial uprising against the now dead leader, analysts are hopeful that Pretoria can help push Libya into the future. “It is a strange time to be asking for assistance from other countries, considering Libya's historical giving to Africa, but these places have the experience to make it happen,” Michel Golaine, a French political analyst focusing on the Arab Spring told Bikyamasr.com in Cairo. Zuma's office said in a statement the president met with Yousif Ibrahim Sherif of the Transitional National Council. Sherif “conveyed a request for South Africa's assistance in the reconstruction and development of Libya in light of South Africa's experience in peace making and democracy.” Zuma also accepted an invitation to visit Libya “as soon as it was possible,” though no date was set. “The meeting acknowledged the need for the strengthening of political and economic relations between the two countries, and the need to work under the auspices of the African Union in addressing challenges in Libya,” a statement from the president's office said. Zuma headed the failed African Union delegations that attempted to broker a peace deal between Gaddafi and the rebels. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/FvUNJ Tags: featured, Reconstruction, South Africa Section: Latest News, Libya, Southern Africa
